Made In Iowa: From Compliance to Culture - Why Safety Drives Success at ALMACO

On this episode, Ellen Hines, Director of Workplace Experience, and Justin Woods, Chief Manufacturing Officer at ALMACO, share a candid look into the company’s evolving safety journey. In an environment where no two projects are the same, ALMACO has made a deliberate decision to embed safety into every layer of its operations. They discuss how variability in manufacturing demands a proactive mindset—one where processes, communication, and accountability are continuously refined to protect their team. A cornerstone of that culture is empowerment. Hines and Woods emphasize the importance of creating an environment where every employee feels responsible—and safe—to speak up: “If you see something, you say something.” That mindset has helped ALMACO earn recognition as one of only five companies in Iowa to achieve OSHA SHARP (Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program) certification, a distinction that reflects not just compliance, but excellence. For ALMACO, safety isn’t a box to check—it’s a strategic advantage and a key driver of long-term success.